A new third wave coffee shop opened in Hamburg. The siblings Chris Balz and Kathrin Balz opened their concept right in between Hoheluft Ost, Hoheluft West, Eppendorf and Harvestehude. So the customers got a bit of poshness, though the price is very reasonable. Balz^2 is a bobo* type of café, like Elbgold. But small-scale and with personality. It keeps up with the current trend of cafés but stays German nevertheless: open-faced sandwiches, Blechkuchen and weekend breakfasts.
On a sunny and cold Friday afternoon it was quite full. Even though it’s just by big Hoheluftchaussee, all it appears to be, is a little shining pearl on Lehmweg.
Stullen are North German open-faced sandwiches. Similar to danish Smørrebrod if you know that. They top dark dense bread with traditional coldcuts and cheeses. Mine is the goat-cream cheese, red beet and sprouts which tasted unique and fresh. My dad chose the aged salami from Hessen. Our dessert, Blechkuchen (Blech= baking tray, Kuchen = cake), is also typical for German cake-time. They bake a variety of these: apple cake, cherry crumble, Zupfkuchen*, Austrian Linzer Torte, or curd poppyseed (Quark-Mohn).
Lunch menus vary daily, as well as creative seasonal soups and stews. (Check out their Instagram to get inspired!)
The interior isn’t large, but spacious enough to have an own spot and not feel uncomfortable doing some laptop or book work. In the back half of the room are four small tables; in the front a large community table decorated with vases of flowers. By the windows they arranged two cozy windowill spots for duos, mirrored by equivalent tables and stools outside.
Balz and Balz is a great new addition to Hamburg’s cafés, especially in the Hoheluft area, which needed a cozy place to escape to. Not too unconventional but individual with a broad audience and hidden German flair to all of it.
*bobo (bohemian-bourgeois): that means maybe an itsy bit “snobby” (people are well tailored, freshly showered and might spend more on their haircut than an average person spends monthly eating out) but still with laid-back features, casual customers and open friendliness
*Zupfkuchen: (Russian-German cheesecake, which is more fluffy, with splotches of Chocolate and crumble on top)
When? Tu-Fr: 8-18, Sa-Su: 9-17
How much? Cappuccino 1,90€, Flat White 2,80€
Where? Lehmweg 6, between Hoheluft/Eppendorf/Harvestehude
Their website, and menu (in German)
Wow what a terrific place! I went there on their last day before their ‘creative time off’ during the holidays and absolutely loved their cinnamon rolls and flat white! The staff was lovely, it felt comfortable but not to over the top staying basic as well 🙂 Will definitely go back since their prices are super affordable also for students!!